The fact is, design is revolutionizing business. That’s why we created the Certificate in Design and Innovation Management. It exposes business people to the process of design thinking and teaches designers how to talk business.

Our goal: advancing business through innovation. It’s about using design as a business tool. We’re equipping leaders to take a new approach, promoting design as a change agent for business. Sound interesting? It’s time to take a seat at the table.

We are now accepting applications for the Spring 2018 semester.

Cohorts for the Certificate in Design and Innovation Management begin every other semester. Cohorts begin in the following semesters, Spring 2018 (January), Fall 2018 (August), Summer 2018 (May), Spring 2019 (January), Fall 2019 (August) etc. and follow the recommended sequencing of courses. Some exceptions to the recommended sequencing can be made with approval from Gayle DeBruyn M.M..

Who is it for?

The Certificate in Design and Innovation Management is for business professionals and creative professionals who want to differentiate themselves and get an edge in the marketplace. It’s for people who want to become more user-centered, leading with logic. If you want to be a problem solver, critical thinker, and challenge ideas and processes, then you’ve found your place.

Whether you take the program as a stand-alone certificate or as part of a Ferris MBA, you’ll be with others who recognize the value of collaboration in business and design. It’s for engineers, salespeople, programmers, managers, designers, scientists, marketers… you get the idea. If you want to use design thinking to thrive in the new business era, this is the place for you.

How will I benefit?

The companies garnering worldwide recognition for innovation are the ones embracing design thinking. Design is at the root of everything they do. They have built and sustained a culture of innovation. That approach to success began with someone who saw the big picture.

The Certificate in Design and Innovation Management will help you shape your company, breeding innovation. You’ll be able to measure the impact of design and innovation on the bottom line. You’ll have sustainability know-how. You’ll know the questions to ask to improve your products, services, and systems. Integrated thinking will help you offer real, insightful solutions and convince decision makers. People will look to you for unique input on a project, increasing your value around the table.

Each course dives into design thinking from a different angle. The result? Creative problem solving, sustainability smarts, and a common vocabulary for a diverse group of professionals. Click the link above to check out complete course descriptions.

Innovation education: The program blends learning formats (online, classroom, individual and group work) for a flexible learning structure that caters to a variety of learning styles. Click the link above for more details.